Parental chromosomal rearrangements associated with repetitive spontaneous abortions

Parental chromosomal rearrangements represent a well-established cause of repetitive spontaneous abortions. However, the frequent of parental translocations varies widely in reported series, suggesting differences in ascertainment. For this reason a sample of individuals (120 women, 104 men) who had experienced spontaneous abortions but neither stillborn nor anomalous liveborn infants was investigated. Only one translocation was detected (0.4% of individuals). The relatively low frequency of translocations in this series of probably a reflection of not only lack of coexisting stillborn or anomalous infants but also the referral pattern in this unit that facilitates routine analysis of all couples experiencing repetitive abortions. In addition, one women showed a pericentric inversion.